Microsoft did not do a very good job promoting the gadget platform that was available in Windows Vista and Windows 7; and, as a result, most people were clueless about it (and did not understand it). Actually, for the everyday home computer user, it was not the easiest platform to navigate.
Typically, if you had the gadget platform activated, you would see a sidebar on the side of the desktop that displayed your gadgets (mini-programs that offered information at a glance and provided easy access to frequently accessed tools). I know that some of the gadgets I played around with (such as clocks, system monitors, picture slide shows, mini rss readers) were actually very good and were often nice in appearance. You could even detach the gadgets from the sidebar and move them around the desktop.
If you upgraded to Windows 8, and you was a Windows gadget user, you are going to find that the gadget platform is gone; HOWEVER, there is a really good third party FREE software option, called Thoosje Windows Sidebar 8, that will bring the gadgets back in Windows 8.
Thoosje windows Sidebar comes with 11 of the most used gadgets like a clock gadget, Calendar gadget, CPU/memory gadget, Search gadgets, Hard Drive gadgets, Media player, quick launch, RSS feed gadget and more. An addtionional free gadget pack is under development now and will be released this year.
Thoosje windows sidebar is completely redeveloped and now the new gadgets system is designed to make it possible to let independent developers create new gadgets for Thoosje Windows sidebar 8. The system is created to make it possible running Gadgets Directly From DLL ( For Developers)
Thoosje Windows Sidebar 8 Features
- Entirely new Sidebar Engine
- Eleven Build In Windows Gadgets
- New Redesigned Windows Gadget Manager
- Importing/Exporting Windows Gadgets (.cwgf files)
- Importing & exporting Gadget Packs (.cwgp files)
- Gadgets Info
- Gadgets have Customizable Settings With build in encryption system
- Gadget Blacklisting system to prevent malware
- Enlarging Gadgets
- Running multiple instances of gadgets which each have their own settings
- Sidebar Background Settings Including 8 sidebar backgrounds
- Customizable Sidebar Transparency settings
- Sidebar Language Settings
- Automatically Download new language files from server
- Sidebar Error logs
- Storing Gadgets on separated Sidebar pages
- More gadgets available soon
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GEEK BONUS AREA
Increase the maximum USB transfer size in Windows 7
and Windows Server 2008 R2
VideoLAN proposes VLC native Windows 8 version
Tech Tip #36: The Internet Toolbar Disappeared
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Posted by Ramblinrick 
Keeps your system safe and protect your computer from unwanted changes. NOTE: This puts your PC into a virtual mode. I am now using this to test software. I’ll put the PC into the Time Freeze mode, test the software, come out of Time Freeze and my PC will be back to the original state prior to testing the software.
Protects your eyes with scheduled warning.
Creates a virtual safe which works like a regular drive where you can store files. The files stored in it are encrypted and cannot be accessed without the right password.
Concentrates every system resource for gaming purpose. It temporarily shuts background processes and other unnecessary Windows services & cleans out the RAM.
Helps you create secure passwords that are extremely difficult to crack or guess. Also it can help you to manage your password, account and other private information.
Creates highly secure passwords with upper and lower case letters, numbers and punctuation symbols.
Allows you to scan all duplicate files in specified path. You can remove some of them and free up your disk space.
Ensures recovery of data permanently deleted from the Recycle Bin or with the help of SHIFT + DELETE key.
Helps you to check your hard disk both in I/O accesss and file system and give you a full report for the checking.
Cleans your hard disk from temporary files like those in the system temporary folder and the Recycle Bin.
Makes the PC system more stable by cleaning out the bad Registry entries.
Helps you to backup or restore your Regidtry with a simple click
Rebuilds PC’s Registry, making the entire system run quicker and smoother.
Protects the user’s privacy by deleting all activity history and surfing traces.
De-fragments the hard drive with it’s smart engine, keep the PC running efficiently and prevent the formation of other fragmented files.
Provides a full report of user’s PC system and allows the user to fix all problems with one simple click.
Provides a easy to read report that shows the start-up time of user’s system. It offers a detailed list of the processes loaded since booting. NOTE: Will also alert you when something new was added to the startup group that you were unaware of.
Allows the user to disable or delay the loading of any startup entries. It also provides the users with suggestions of standard processes.
